Past Present

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**Past Present**

Past Present brings together three historians to discuss what’s happening in American politics and culture today. Natalia, Neil, and Niki bring historical insights to the news of the day, offering listeners an alternative to the reflexive and polarized world of punditry. Interested in the world around you but exhausted by rote reactions and partisan talking points? You’ve come to the right place.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 217: COVID-19 and Protective Face Masks Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss COVID-19 and the history of protective face masks.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

The threat of coronavirus has lately made protective face masks a fixture in many global cities. Natalia cited this Vox article about the hoarding of such masks. Neil referred to this Quartz piece about the broader use of face masks in Asian countries.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Mac Schwerin's Vox article, "The Pungent Legacy of Axe Body Spray."
Neil discussed Davey Alba's New York Times article, "Facial Recognition Moves Into a New Front: Schools."
Niki shared the "Whomst Among Us Let the Dogs Out?" episode from the podcast 99% Invisible.

Episode 216: A Proposal to "Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again" Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss an architectural proposal to "Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again."

Support Past Present: http://www.pastpresentpodcast.com/

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Conservative architectural organization the National Civic Art Society has drafted an executive order that establishes the style for federal buildings nationwide. Natalia cited this Intelligencer article about the false dichotomies on which the ensuing debate rests. Niki referred to Ross Douthat's New York Times opinion piece on the issue. We also referred to a previous Past Present episode on classical statues.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed the tenth season of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Neil commented on Mitt Romney's impeachment vote and Joseph Stuart's Religion & Politics article about the place of Mormonism in the Republican Party.
Niki recommended the new podcast, "Chasing Cosby."

Episode 215: The 2020 Iowa Caucuses Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the debacle of this year's Iowa caucuses.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

The 2020 Iowa caucus was a logistical disaster. Natalia cited this POLITICO piece about longer standing concerns about Iowa. Neil wrote about Pete Buttigieg's historic showing in Iowa in his column for the Week.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed the Amazon series "Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer".
Neil recommended the podcast "Monster: DC Sniper."
Niki discussed Rush Limbaugh receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Episode 214: Moderate Republicans Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the shrinking number of moderate Republicans in the GOP.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Where have all the moderate Republicans gone? Neil wrote about Susan Collins and the end of moderate Republicans in his column for The Week. Niki shared Geoffrey Kabaservice's book Rule and Ruin as the definitive history of moderate Republicans. Natalia discussed Ezra Klein's recent New York Times piece on the different effect polarization has had on both parties, an argument he expands in his new book, Why We're Polarized. Neil commented on how Republican suburban women have been moving away from the GOP during the Trump years, something he wrote about for the Atlantic in 2018.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed the controversy surrounding Jeanine Cummins' new book, American Dirt, and recommended the episode of "Latino USA" that discusses the controversy and Myriam Gurba's review of the book for Tropics of Meta.
Neil recommended the new Netflix series, "Cheer." We discussed the history of cheerleading in Episode 125.
Niki commented on Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s proposal for Virginia's border counties to join West Virginia, something being referred to as "Vexit."

Episode 213: Little Women Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss Greta Gerwig's film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Greta Gerwig's Little Women has received enthusiastic critical praise. Natalia referred to this New York Times article about the nearly all-white cast, and Niki recommended this New Yorker article about Laura Dern's portrayal of Marmee. Natalia also cited this American Conservative article about the absence of faith in the latest adaptation.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed the rumored closing of Fairway supermarkets, and historian Dylan Gottlieb's tweets on the topic.
Neil recommended Rhonda Kaysen's New York Times article, "Could the Avocado-Green Kitchen Make a Comeback?"
Niki shared A.J. Willingham's CNN article, " Peanut is Dead for Some Reason."

Episode 212: Jeopardy! Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the longevity of the game show Jeopardy!

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Jeopardy! is in the news thanks to its GOAT tournament. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article about the show's origin story.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Sarah Schrank's new book, Free and Natural: Nudity and the Cult of the American Body.
Neil discussed Katie Reilly's Time article, "Donald Trump is Promising 'Big Action' on School Prayer to Rally Evangelical Voters."
Niki shared Timothy Williams' New York Times article, "Virginia Approves the E.R.A., Becoming the 38th State to Back It," and Ben Hitchcock's C-Ville Weekly article, "A Change is Gonna Come: New Democratic Government has Big Plans, Big Challenges Ahead."

Episode 211: The Australian Bushfires Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the devastating bushfires in Australia.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Fire is ravaging Australia. Natalia referred to this Washington Post piece about the politicization of the fires. Niki discussed the long history of bushfires in Australia.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Ashley Fetters' Atlantic article, "The Boys Who Wear Shorts All Winter."
Neil discussed Campbell Robinson and Elizabeth Dias' New York Times article, "United Methodist Church Announces Plan to Split Over Same-Sex Marriage."
Niki shared Afua Hirsch's New York Times article, "Black Britons Know Why Meghan Wants Out."

Episode 210: U.S. Embassy Attack in Baghdad Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the recent attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Iraqi militants stormed the American embassy in Baghdad last week. Neil referenced the recently leaked cable communications between Iran and Iraq. Natalia referred to this Middle East Eye essay on the historical significance of attacks on American embassies and to this Guardian piece on the history of U.S. embassies.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Margaret Atwood's new novel, The Testaments, and referred to this Atlantic review of the book.
Neil discussed Jason Horowitz's New York Times article, "Pope Francis Apologizes After Slapping Away a Clinging Pilgrim."
Niki shared Sarah Holder's Citylab article, "What Have We Done to Lunch?"

Episode 209: The "OK" Sign, Black Israelites, and CIA Disguises Dec 24, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss controversy over the "OK" sign, the Black Israelite sect, and the history of CIA disguises.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

When cadets flashed the "OK" sign, a gesture that has become a symbol of white power, an investigation by Army and Navy officials ensued. Natalia cited anthropologist Clifford Geertz' "Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture." Niki recommended ProPublica's ongoing coverage of white nationalism.
Recent murders in Jersey City have directed new attention to the fringe sect that calls itself the Black Hebrew Israelites. Niki referred to this Code Switch interview with historian Marc Dollinger about his book, Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s.
The CIA's former Chief of Disguise has donated some of her collection to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Natalia recommended this Washington Post op-ed by Jonna Hiestand Mendez, the retiring chief, about her work as a CIA agent. Neil discussed Matthew Avery Sutton's book, Double-Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia shared her own Public Seminar article, "The Precarious Labor of the Fitpro."
Neil discussed Christianity Today editorial, "Trump Should Be Removed From Office."
Niki discussed Rachel Tashjian's GQ article, "Why the Codpiece Remains One of Menswear's Most Essential Accessories," and this Twitter thread about the timeless accessory.

Episode 208: Cockfighting, Athletic Doping, and Didone Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss a cockfighting ban in Puerto Rico, Russia's Olympic ban for doping its athletes, and the dawn of a new era in fonts.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

The U.S. has enacted a ban on cockfighting in Puerto Rico. Neil cited anthropologist Clifford Geertz's classic text on cockfighting in Bali.
Due to doping violations, Russia has been banned from competing in the Olympics for the next four years. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article on preventative measures against doping. Niki mentioned our previous segment on so-called "sex testing" and athletic competition in Episode 179.
After a decade of minimalism, ornate fonts are making a comeback. Neil referred to this article about changes to the Helvetica font.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed Olga Khazan's Atlantic article, "Is it Weird to Wear Leggings at Work?"
Neil recommended this New York Times Magazine feature, "The Twenty-Five Rooms that Influence the Way We Design."
Niki shared Max Ufberg's Medium article, "The Decade We Marched For Our Lives."

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